Combined mechanical fastener and electrical connector

ABSTRACT

Two objects are mechanically fastened together by a first retaining plate that has locking members and that is attached to one object; and by a second retaining plate that has locking tabs for engaging the locking members and that is attached to the other object. The objects are mechanically fastened by positioning the tabs in the spaces between the locking members and rotating the two objects so that the tabs pass behind the locking members and mechanically fasten the two objects together. Contacts may be respectively positioned on the two objects for connecting electrical circuits when the two objects are fastened.

United States Patent Paul F. Sensabaugh Lynchburg, Va. 41,266

May 28, 1970 Jan. 4, 1972 General Electric Co.

[72] Inventor [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] COMBINED MECHANICAL FASTENER AND 3,292,135 12/1966 Robinson 1,088,867 3/1914 Benjamin 339/88 R FOREIGN PATENTS 224,048 9/1959 Australia 339/88 C Primary Examiner.loseph H. McGlynn Attorneys-Jams J. Williams, Frank L. Neuhauser, Oscar B.

Waddell and Joseph B. Forman ABSTRACT: Two objects are mechanically fastened together by a first retaining plate that has locking members and that is attached to one object; and by a second retaining plate that has locking tabs for engaging the locking members and that is attached to the other object. The objects are mechanically fastened by positioning the tabs in the spaces between the locking members and rotating the two objects so that the tabs pass behind the locking members and mechanically fasten the two objects together. Contacts may be respectively positioned on the two objects for connecting electrical circuits when the two objects are fastened.

PATENIED JAN 41972 1633151 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR: PAUL F. SENSABAUGH,

BYW H ATTORNEY.

COMBINED MECHANICAL ,FASTENER AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION My invention relates to Combined mechanical fastener and electrical connector, and particularly to such a combined fastener and connector that provides quick and reliable mechanical fastening and unfastening of two parts, and that provides an electrical connection and disconnection.

Some portable radios, particularly small personal communications transmitters and/or receivers, are powered by batteries located in a small container that is mechanically fastened to the radio. Electrical connections are provided between the battery and radio. When one battery is discharged, it must be removed and a new or recharged battery connected to the radio in its place. There thus exists a need for a device that fastens and unfastens a battery container from a radio, and also makes and breaks electrical connections between the battery and radio.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide anew and improved mechanical fastener and electrical connector, particularly for radios and battery containers.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel device which serves the combined function of quickly fastening two objects and connecting electrical circuits in the two objects, and quickly unfastening the two objects and disconnecting the electrical circuits in the two objects.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel combined mechanical fastener and electrical connector that is relatively simple in construction and reliable in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, these and other objects and achieved in accordance with my invention by a first retaining plate that has locking members and that is attached to one object. A second retaining plate having tabs for engaging the locking members of the first plate is attached to the other object. The objects are mechanically fastened by positioning the tabs in the spaces between the locking members and rotating the two objects so that the tabs pass behind the locking members and mechanically fasten the two objects together. Contacts are respectively positioned on the two objects for engagement and connection of electrical circuits when the two objects are fastened. A retaining spring may also be provided on the first object and shaped to fit in a recess in the second object so that the two objects may be locked in their fastened position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims. The structure and operation of my invention, together with further objects and advantages, may be better understood from the following description given in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a radio and battery container, and a fastener and connector in accordance with my invention for fastening and connecting the radio and battery;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a retaining plate used in a fastener and connector in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 3 shows an elevation view of a portion of the retaining plate of FIG. 2 for illustrating a feature of the fastener and connector of my invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a radio and battery container fastened together and electrically connected by a fastener and connector in accordance with my invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIG. 1, I have shown an exploded perspective view of a fastener and connector in accordance with my invention used, by way of example only, with a radio and a battery container 14. The radio 10 is not shown in its entirety, but it may be assumed to contain either a radio transmitter, or a radio receiver, or both a transmitter and receiver, with associated elements such as an antenna, a loudspeaker, or a microphone. The case housing the radio 10 is provided with a recess 11 which receives a portion of my fastener and connector as will be explained. The battery container 14 is likewise not shown in its entirety, but it may be assumed to contain one or more suitable batteries, such as the rechargeable storage type or the dry-cell type. The battery container 14 is provided with suitable mounting holes and openings, and with a recess 15 on its upper surface and a recess 16 on the side of the container 14. These recesses l5, l6 serve to receive a locking or retaining spring, as will be explained.

The parts of my fastener and connector which are mounted on the radio 10 comprise a generally flat retaining spring 18. The spring 18 is made of a relatively thin resilient metal, and has a main portion 19 which is shaped to fit in the large part of the recess 11 in the radio 10. The main portion 19 is provided with mounting holes 19a, with two parallel slits 19b which provide a central section 190, and with a clearance hole 19d for an electrical wire. A locking portion 20 is integrally formed with the main portion 19, and is shaped to fit in the small part of the recess 11, and also to fit in the recess l5, 16 in the battery container 14 for locking the radio 10 and the battery container 14 together. The retaining portion 20 is offset by a bend, and the end of the retaining portion 20 is bent to provide an operating tab or finger 20a. A first connector is provided for the radio 10 in the form of a metallic contact or button 23 which has an attached wire 24. The wire 24 passes through an insulating sleeve or part 25 which is shaped to receive the contact 23 and hold it in insulated fashion in the clearance hole 19:1 in the retaining spring 18. A first retaining plate 27 is made of suitable conductive material such as steel and shaped to fit in the large part of the recess 11 in the radio 10. Additional views of the plate 27 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. I prefer that the plate 27 have the same size and shape as the main portion 19 of the spring 18. The plate 27 is provided with a central circular hole or opening 28. The periphery of the hole 28 is provided with three locking members or earns 29. Each of these locking members 29 extends arcuately around the hole 28 for approximately and is separated from adjacent members by respective spaces 31a, 31b, 31c. The space 31a is larger and extends for approximately 40, while the other two spaces 31b, 31c extend approximately 25. The lower surface of each of the members 29 is flush with the bottom of the plate 27. The upper surface of each of the members 29 is below the top of the plate 27, and as shown particularly well in FIG. 3, part of the upper surface is sloped and part of the upper surface is flat. This upper surface provides a cam action, as will be explained. A stop or projection 29a is positioned at one end of one of the flat surfaces on a member 29, for reasons that will also be explained. The plate 27 is provided with mounting holes 27a which preferably align with and correspond with the holes 19:; in the retaining spring 18. Suitable mounting screws 30 are provided to pass through the holes 270 in the plate 27 and the holes 19a in the spring 18 and thread into suitably positioned holes at the bottom of the recess 11. A second connector 32, which may be in the form of a spade lug, is provided and connected to a suitable wire 33. This connector 32 is positioned at one of the holes 27a and is electrically connected to the plate 27 by soldering, welding, or mechanical contact pressure. This wire 33, as well as the wire 24, are connected to appropriate parts of the circuit in the radio 10.

The parts described so far, namely the retaining spring 18, the first connector 23, the second connector 32, and the first retaining plate 27 are mounted on the radio 10. The parts to be mounted on the battery container 14 will now be described. These parts comprise a third connector in the form of a metallic contact or button 36 which is connected to a suitable wire 37 to provide an electrical connection. The contact- 36 fits in a suitable insulating sleeve or part 38, so as to keep the contact 36 electrically insulated from other metallic parts and elements. A second retaining plate 40 is made of a suitable conductive material such as steel, and has a circular shape to pass through the opening 28 in the plate 27 with slight clearance. The second plate 40 has a plurality of locking tabs or projections 41a, 41b, 41c around its circumference. These tabs 41a, 41b, 410 are shaped and positioned to correspond and conform with the spaces 31a, 31b, 310 between the locking members 29 in the first retaining plate 27. The second plate 40 has a plurality of mounting holes 40a for receiving mounting screws 42 which pass through the holes 40a and thread into suitably positioned holes in the top of the battery container 14. The second plate 40 also has a central opening or hole 43 for receiving the insulating sleeve 38 and the contact 36. A fourth connector 45, which may also be a spade lug, is attached to a suitable wire 46. This connector is positioned beneath the second plate 40 and connected to the plate 40 by soldering, welding, or contact pressure. The wire 37 and the wire 46 are connected to a battery or other device in the container 14.

In the assembly of the fastener and connector shown in FIG. 1, the contact 23 is placed in its insulating sleeve 25, and the two are placed in the hole 19d in the spring 18 and held in place by crimping or swaging the small end of the contact 23. The wires 24, 33 are connected to the contact 23 and the first plate 27, and led into the radio for suitable connection. The plate 27 is positioned on top of the retaining spring 18 in the recess 11, and the two are held in place on the radio 10 by the screws 30. Similarly, the contact 36 is placed in its insulating sleeve 38 in the hole 43 in the second plate 40, and the two are held in place by crimping or swaging the small end of the contact 36. The wires 37, 46 are connected to the contact 36 and the plate 40, and led into the battery container 14 for connection to suitable points. The second plate 40 is held in place on the container 14 by the screws 42.

When the radio 10 and the container 14 are to be fastened and connected in accordance with my invention, the assembled parts are moved together (such as moving the container 14 upward in the direction of the arrow 50) so that the locking tabs 41a, 41b, 41c pass through their respective spaces 31a, 31b, 310. The tab 410 is larger than the other tabs 41b, 410 so that this tab 41a can only pass through the larger space 31a, thus ensuring proper relative positions of the radio 10 and the container 14. The retaining portion 20 of the spring 18 must be pushed upward by this movement. The parts are then rotated relative to each other (such as rotating the container 14 in the direction of the arrow 51) so that the tabs 41 move over the cam surfaces of the locking members 29 and also in an upward direction as shown by the tab 41b and the arrow 52 in FIG. 3. The upward movement draws the radio 10 and the container 14 together and causes firm and positive engagement of the two contacts 23, 36 to provide a closed electrical circuit between the wires 24, 37. Similarly, there is firm and positive engagement between the two plates 27, 40 to provide a second closed electrical circuit between the wires 33, 46. Any necessary clearance or tolerance is provided by the central section 190 in the retaining spring 18 which allows some movement of the contact 23 but urges the contact 23 toward the contact 36. The relative rotation of the radio 10 and the container 14 is limited by the stop 29a located at the end of one of the locking members 29. This stop 29a also prevents the parts from being rotated in the wrong direction relative to each other. With respect to FIG. 2, the tab 41c which is positioned in the space 31c can only rotate in a counterclockwise direction. The tab 4lb will be stopped when it reaches the stop 29a. This stop action is also shown by the tab 41b shown in phantom in FlG. 3. As mentioned earlier, the tab 41a may be made larger than the other two tabs 41b, 41c, so that this tab 41a can only pass through the opening 31a. Thus, proper alignment and keying is provided. When the two parts (i.e., the radio 10 and the container 14) are rotated until the tab 41b hits the stop 290 (this preferably being 90, the retaining portion 20 of the spring 18 moves downward into the recess and locks the two parts so that they cannot rotate.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the radio 10 and the battery container 14 fastened and connected with the fastener and connector of my invention. The first connection is provided through the contacts 23, 36 which are in firm engagement, particularly because of the resiliency of the central section 190. The second connection is provided by the engagement of the tabs 41a, 41b, 41c which are in firm engagement with their respective locking members 29. The radio 10 and the container 14 are held against accidental rotation and possible separation by the retaining portion 20 of the spring 18 fitting in the recess 15 in the battery container 14. The radio 10 and the container 14 may be rotated for release only if the operating tab 20a on the spring 18 is pushed upward, as indicated by the arrow 53 in H0. 4. This action removes the retaining portion 20 from the recess 15 so that the parts may then be rotated and unfastened and disconnected. The recess 16 permits a persons finger to reach the operating tab 20a more readily.

It will thus be seen that my invention provides a new and improved fastener and electrical connector which is both simple in construction and reliable in operation. While I have shown only one embodiment of my combined fastener and connector, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made. For example, more than three or less than three locking tabs and locking members may be provided. Differentshaped cam surfaces may be provided so as to provide a different relative movement. Also, the angle of relative rotation may be varied, although I prefer Therefore, while my invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the claims.

What I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A combination device for mechanically fastening two objects and providing an electrical connection therebetween, said device comprising:

a. a flat retaining spring mounted on one object, said retaining spring having an elongated portion for movably fitting in an appropriately shaped recess in the second object;

b. a first retaining plate mounted on said retaining spring, said first retaining plate having a generally circular opening therethrough;

c. a plurality of circumferential locking members mounted on said first retaining plate around said circular opening and separated by spaces, each of said locking members having a sloped cam surface facing said one object;

(I. a second retaining plate mounted on said second object, said second retaining plate being generally circular and having circumferential locking tabs shaped and positioned around said second retaining plate to fit in said spaces between said locking members and respectively engage said sloped cam surfaces, thereby mechanically pulling and fastening said first and second objects together when said first and second objects are rotated relative to each other in a selected direction;

. one of said locking tabs and one of said spaces between said locking members being configured to permit said one locking tab to pass through only said one space;

f. a stop positioned on said first retaining plate near one of said spaces to permit relative rotation of said first and second objects in said selected direction and to prevent relative rotation of said first and second objects in an opposite direction;

g. a first electrical contact mounted on and insulated from said retaining spring at substantially the center of said circular opening;

h. and a second electrical contact mounted on and insulated from said second retaining plate at substantially the center thereof;

. said first and second electrical contacts engaging each other and providing an electrical connection therebetween when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said second objects has a recess to receive said elongated portion of said retaining spring and hold said first and second objects in a selected rotational relation, and further comprising means connected to said first retaining plate and means connected to said second retaining plate for providing an added electrical connection when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together. 

1. A combination device for mechanically fastening two objects and providing an electrical connection therebetween, said device comprising: a. a flat retaining spring mounted on one object, said retaining spring having an elongated portion for movably fitting in an appropriately shaped recess in the second object; b. a first retaining plate mounted on said retaining spring, said first retaining plate having a generally circular opening therethrough; c. a plurality of circumferential locking members mounted on said first retaining plate around said circular opening and separated by spaces, each of said locking members having a sloped cam surface facing said one object; d. a second retaining plate mounted on said second object, said second retaining plate being generally circular and having circumferential locking tabs shaped and positioned around said second retaining plate to fit in said spaces between said locking members and respectively engage said sloped cam surfaces, thereby mechanically pulling and fastening said first and second objects together when said first and second objects are rotated relative to each other in a selected direction; e. one of said locking tabs and one of said spaces between said locking members being configured to permit said one locking tab to pass through only said one space; f. a stop positioned on said first retaining plate near one of said spaces to permit relative rotation of said first and second objects in said selected direction and to prevent relative rotation of said first and second objects in an opposite direction; g. a first electrical contact mounted on and insulated from said retaining spring at substantially the center of said circular opening; h. and a second electrical contact mounted on and insulated from said second retaining plate at substantially the center thereof; i. said first and second electrical contacts engaging each other and providing an electrical connection therebetween when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said second object has a recess to receive said elongated portion of said retaining spring and hold said first and second objects in a selected rotational relation.
 3. The device of claim 1, and further comprising means connected to said first retaining plate and means connected to said second retaining plate for providing an added electrical connection when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said second objects has a recess to receive said elongated portion of said retaining spring and hold said first and second objects in a selected rotational relation, and further comprising means connected to said first retaining plate and means connected to said second retaining plate for providing an added electrical connection when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together. 